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Former Federal Bureau of Investigation head James the ex-FBI chief has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to congressional representatives and hindering a lawmaking procedure.

Mr Comey's attorney filed the answer on his behalf in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday morning.

His attorney announced he would seek to have the legal matter thrown out for multiple causes including that his client, a critic of Donald Trump, was being targeted.

The former director was formally accused soon after Trump pressured his chief prosecutor to proceed against him.

Court Developments

At the proceedings on Wednesday, Comey's lawyer the legal representative informed the judge they intended to submit several motions to terminate the case before a legal hearing, stating the government's case was spiteful and that a government lawyer was unlawfully assigned to handle the legal matter.

The former director's legal matter was originally managed by the original attorney, who resigned under influence from Donald Trump after his probe into a different opponent - the New York official - was unable to initiate prosecution.

Judicial Environment

Mr Comey came across in optimistic frame of mind as he entered the court on mid-week, chatting with his attorneys and sharing humor. He was joined by his partner, his wife and offspring Maureen, a US lawyer who the former government dismissed.

After listening to the court read his constitutional guarantees and the dual charges against him in legal proceedings on mid-week, the defendant was questioned if he comprehended the allegations.

"I do your honour. Appreciate it," he informed the court.

Historical Information

James Comey was the chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2013-2017 and was fired about a few months into Donald Trump's first administration as commander-in-chief. At the time, the director was overseeing an examination into foreign election meddling and whether there were any links between Moscow and the presidential campaign.

While in office, James Comey triggered a counter-response from the Democratic party when he announced just days before the national vote that he was probing Democratic candidate Clinton's use of a private email server. Indictments against Clinton were not pursued, causing criticism from Republicans as well.

Current Allegations

Prosecutors claim the former director gave untrue statements to US lawmakers during a legislative proceeding in 2020 when he was being interrogated about both the Clinton investigation as well as the election interference investigation. They allege he deceived the legislative body by saying he had not authorized a person at the agency to leak to media organizations information about the FBI investigations.

Legal representatives also accuse James Comey of "corruptly endeavoring to influence, block and delay" the panel by making false statements to it.

Public Statements

In a video Mr Comey shared to his Instagram after he was charged, he declared he was wrongly accused and alleged Donald Trump of acting like a "autocrat".

"We have known for years that there are consequences to opposing the former president," he stated. "We choose not to live on our bended knee."

"I'm innocent," he stated further. "Thus initiate a legal proceeding."

These allegations against James Comey came after the former president published on online platforms demanding his chief prosecutor, the attorney general, take legal action against the former director and others.